5-Day Delivery Under Review at PRC

Posted by Elizabeth Lombard on June 28, 2010 in Mail

On March 2, Postmaster General Jack Potter made public his updated plans for change for the USPS® in response to continuing declines in mail volumes.  This month, the Postal Regulatory Commission is holding public hearings to analyze and cross-examine the Postal Service’s “five-day” proposal and supporting evidence. The nationwide elimination of Saturday mail delivery service is one of the most significant changes the Postal Service has ever presented to the Commission.

The first of seven nationwide public hearings was held Monday in Chicago.  According to recent Bloomberg reporting, some businesses are strongly against the plan.  CVS Caremark Corporation said that the elimination of Saturday delivery would delay about 300,000 orders, preventing vital medications from reaching patients.  A daily newspaper in Michigan said the plan could result in them dropping their Saturday newspaper, which might lead to lower advertising revenue and employee lay-offs.

But not everyone is against cutting Saturday delivery.  Time Warner, which publishes 20 major magazines, supports the plan.  John R. Seebeck, marketing director for Crate and Barrel, said his company reluctantly supports Saturday cuts only if the mail agency keeps postage rates low.

From Pitney Bowes’ standpoint, we applaud PMG Potter’s fact-based approach to these challenges.  The USPS® is in a difficult financial position and we applaud its comprehensive approach to finding solutions, while continuing to meet customer service levels and accommodating mailing industry needs.  The proposed change to five-day delivery will not affect other post office activities.  Post offices will remain open for non-delivery activities, such as parcel drop off/pickup and business mail acceptance, and the USPS® will continue to move mail through the network on non-delivery days.  PMG Potter also called to expand self-service locations where USPS® customers can access USPS® services.  We continue to support these positions, and will continue to engage with the Postal Service at all levels to ensure that our company’s and our customers’ interests are heard as the Postal Service adapts to this rapidly-changing environment.

The Dead Tree Edition blog offers several passionate opinions on “five-day” delivery.  What are your thoughts?

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Tags: 5-day delivery, Jack Potter, mail delivery, Pitney Bowes, Postal Regulatory Commission, Postal Service, PRC, Saturday delivery, USPS®